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| Police are considering restricting elderly people's driving at night and on expressways. / gettyimagesbank |
By Kang Seung-woo
Elderly people may not be allowed to drive at night or on expressways, as police are considering a partial ban on their driving amid an increasing number of car accidents caused by them.
According to the Korean National Police Agency, Wednesday, they will map out a comprehensive plan, including a conditional license system for elderly drivers, as part of measures to improve the nation's traffic safety.
"Considering elderly drivers' slower reaction time and their high risk of fatal speed-related accidents, we plan to restrict them at night and on expressways," police said in a press statement.
However, not all elderly drivers will be subject to the limitation, only those who fail to meet certain criteria in cognitive function and night driving tests.
The move comes as the number of drivers aged 65 or older is increasing steadily amid the aging of the population ― 8 percent in 2016, 8.8 percent in 2017 and 9.4 percent in 2018. As well, the portion of elderly driver-caused traffic accidents has also increased significantly during the same period ― 17.7 percent, 20.3 percent and 22.3 percent, respectively.
According to police data, senior citizens accounted for 14.3 percent of the nation's population as of the end of last year, but they took up 44.5 percent of road accident fatalities.
In particular, the number of drivers aged 80 or older who died while driving has increased sharply over the past four years from 98 in 2014 to 156 in 2018.
The police said the new safety measures will be finalized within this year after consultations with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and associations of senior citizens and doctors.
"The current license system has only two options ― cancellation or maintenance. However, elderly drivers should also be guaranteed their right of mobility. There is a need to create a customized licensing system in preparation for a super-aged society," an official from the police agency said.
According to the Road Traffic Authority (KoROAD), older motorists experience a marked decline in their abilities, such as diminished vision, slower reaction times, and loss of hearing and judgment of speed and distance.
In that respect, the government is encouraging elderly drivers to return their licenses to prevent and decrease traffic accidents, exploring methods such as introducing an incentive system as part of transportation expenses.
However, still there are a slew of elderly drivers who strongly resist stopping driving, claiming they would lose their right to mobility ― especially those living in transport infrastructure-deficient areas.
Also, elderly drivers who make a living behind the wheel say returning their licenses would threaten their livelihoods, citing few opportunities to find new jobs at their advanced age.
